India’s preparations for the first Test in Sabina Park have been hit because of the appalling condition of the practice pitches at the famous Caribbean venue. N Ananthanarayanan reports.

India’s preparations for the first Test in Sabina Park have been hit because of the appalling condition of the practice pitches at the famous Caribbean venue.

The visitors have been left fuming by the uneven bounce of the track that threatens the already depleted squad.

A hand injury has made opener Murali Vijay doubtful for the Monday’s match.

Vijay was hit minutes into the team’s first training session on Friday after an express delivery from young Jamaica left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cotterel shot up awkwardly. The player underwent an X-ray on Saturday after missing the nets.

India abandoned that dangerous strip on Saturday after the other opener, debutant Abhinav Mukund, also took a knock facing upto Ishant Sharma. The bowler walked to the check the pitch before coach Duncan Fletcher directed the players not to bat on the strip.

The batsmen mostly made do with throwdowns and spin on the other two pitches. The anger was apparent. “Do we ever provide such facilities to any visiting team?” asked a player.

The Sabina Park pitch is among the fastest in the world and India will have every reason to be upset with the disruption.